Vegas Lawyer to Take ‘Black Lives’ Protest Back to Courtroom

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Las Vegas defense attorney is expected to again challenge a state court judge’s rule against courtroom displays of what he terms political speech by refusing to remove a “Black Lives Matter” pin.

Erika Ballou, a deputy Clark County public defender, is due to appear Thursday for a client’s sentencing hearing before Clark County District Court Judge Douglas Herndon.

Ballou, who is black, refused Tuesday when the judge asked her to remove the pin.

Herndon says he asks everyone to leave political and opinion protests at the courtroom door.

Ballou is the latest voice of protest in a national debate over police brutality and race relations.

She says she’s taking a stand for free speech, due process and civil rights.